The love story between Max Verstappen and Red Bull seems set to continue.
For a long time.
Already, just after winning his first Formula 1 world championship title on December 12, the Dutchman had confided his desire to spend his whole life with the Austrian team.
Obviously, he was talking more about his entire career, but the slip was indicative of his attachment.
His wish could well be granted very soon, according to the joint revelations of the Batavian daily De Telegraaf and its British counterpart the Daily Mail.
Indeed, both announce an imminent extension of Verstappen's contract, which would cover four additional seasons and a colossal salary increase.
Of approximately 21 million euros,
To discover
Formula 1: manufacturers' classification
Formula 1: drivers classification
Between his attachment to his technical team and such an increase, it's hard to imagine the 24-year-old Dutchman coming to nitpick.
Moreover, according to the Daily Mail, the negotiations have so far gone idyllic, since Red Bull has very clearly made the extension of the reigning world champion its top priority.
With, therefore, a four-year contract, which would bind him with the energy drink until 2027. But also the possibility, according to other indiscretions, of including some clauses in the contract for one or two automatic seasons.
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So much information that the managers of the Austrian team have refused to confirm for the moment, contenting themselves, through Dr. Helmut Marko, with revealing that negotiations were indeed underway, and that they could be concluded quickly.
According to De Telegraaf, the formalization could take place by the end of the week.
If the amount were to be confirmed, Verstappen would become, by far, the best paid driver on the board, and even in the history of F1 ahead of the Lewis Hamilton vintage 2020 (47 million euros at the time).